Eike Struss

APT caught up with Eike Soren Struss, who has just four recorded live cashes - all from previous APT stops in 2025 - totaling around USD 30,000. Struss explained that he focuses primarily on online play.

When asked why he chose this event, having seen the Natural8 satellites, he said: “Many of my friends are here and APT was here, so I combined them both.”

Earlier in the year, Struss posted three cashes at APT Taipei 2025, and he seized the opportunity to return, qualifying for the Main Event through an TWD 11,000 (~USD 350) satellite. A min cash in this tournament would see him nearly double his live record.

Struss is one of roughly 30 players still in the tournament who secured their seats through the Natural8 online satellites, surviving from more than 110 hopefuls who originally qualified.

Among the more recognizable names are Hugues Girard and Matas Cimbolas, both ticket winners currently sitting in the middle of the pack in terms of chip stacks.

Frankie Cucchiara

Alexandru Papazian and poker vlogger Frankie Cucchiara also remain in contention after earning their entries online.

Setbacks

Adrian Montez, with just USD 1,610 in live earnings and little else known about him, entered Day 1 of the Main Event through a Natural8 ticket and survived until Level 12.

As APT approached the table, Montez was involved in a pot that ultimately ended his tournament at the hands of APT regular Jeffrey Lo.

Action was picked up on the river with the board showing J 7 Q 4 4 and a pot of around 20,000. Montez jammed for well over the size of the pot and was called by Lo.

Montez revealed Q J but Lo ended his run with A 4 giving him trip fours.

Montez was joined on the rail shortly after by Gal Bar, who also made it into the middle stages of Day 2 but fell just short, seen walking away from the tournament area during the same level.